Perennial Pinks plants are members of the Dianthus family, a group of over 300 species of flowers. This group of flowers includes Carnations, Baby’s Breath, and Sweet William. So, the attractive and sweet-scented Pinks flowers belong to a great family of flowers. This guide on “How to Grow Pinks Flowers” will help you to grow great blooms this year and every year.
Easy to grow, Pinks are an extremely popular garden flower. The fragrant blooms grow profusely on thin stems with long, grass-like leaves. Phlox varieties include single and double blooms that are up to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. The Plants look their best placed at or near the front of the flower garden. They look great growing in thick groups or beds of plants. And, the plants tolerate crowding.
Their compact size and showy blooms make Pinks good candidates for pots or containers, on your patio or deck.
Flower Colors: They come in bright, cheerful pink, rose, light red, and white colors.
Plant height: Short varieties grow just 3 to 6 inches tall. Taller varieties grow 10 to 18 inches.
Perennial, Dianthus Ceryophyllus
Perennial Pinks plants are grown from seed. They can be directly seeded into your flower garden or started indoors for transplanting later. Start transplants six to eight weeks before the last frost in your area. If planting outdoors, sow them after the soil has begun to warm in the spring.
Sow Cottage Pink seeds early in the season. Next, cover the seeds lightly with fine garden soil. Then, water them lightly. Keep the soil moist during the germination period.
Final Plant Spacing: Space seeds or seedlings 10-12″ apart. Pinks tolerate a little crowding.
Pinks plants are very easy to grow. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil.
The plants will do well in average soils but prefer rich soils.
They tolerate dry soil conditions. Water them during dry periods, once or twice per week.
Add a general-purpose fertilizer once or twice a season.
Once your Pinks are established, they will grow well and bloom until frost. As a perennial, Pinks should be planted where they can grow year after year. Many people grow pinks as annuals.
Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5.
Also, see:
Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures.
Insect and disease problems are uncommon. If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.
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